James

So singapore is a very odd place. It's too hot to walk aby great distance, which is ok because there isn't much within walking distance to anywhere. Except where we live (and a few other select buildings in cool areas like emerald hill and icon but I won't go into that here because it's a sore subject). We are really close to orchard road, the main shopping district; killiney road, an awesome street with local and western restaurants and bars and some conveniences; Dhoby Ghaut MRT station which is a really convenient station to get anywhere; and parks and outdoor running places for me.

With that said, its still insanely hot and you get sweaty going just about anywhere. Enter: James. My new toy. An amazing electric scooter. This will get me anywhere I want in just 10-15 minutes.

I'm smitten.

This store is awesome. The have any kind of electric scooter or moving machine you could ask for. I even tried one of those two wheel bare bones scooters where you just lean forward a bit and just go. I think they are called menwheels? They look like this. 

Anyway, James is a welcome and exciting edition to our family. He will be well taken care of, and I think Jordan (got jealous) and wants a brother. 

The store is awesome and I recommend it to anyone wanting electric mobility! 

Congratulations to Us

Jordan and I moved to Singapore September 1. We found and signed for a place on the 20th. We got the keys to the place on the 14th. We got Internet on the 15th. And we finally moved into it on the 19th. Our place is a wreck and we desperately need an idea trip, but it's feeling like home.

This is our first weekend actually in the place so it was cause to celebrate on our new pool roof deck.

Here is the view from our bedroom.

This is all the stuff that we moved into our place, in front of the container that brought it here. 

And here I'd the most glorious part of our new place. All in all, I'm a happy guy. Ikea tomorrow! 

Singapore Run

I have been running with my dad since I was probably 16? I now do it on my own from time to time but have recently rediscovered running as a joy and almost a necessity. In my old age I have had several run ins with anxiety and panic and I find that running generally tames it. So now I just like to get out and see whats around me - what used to be a constant competition with myself to get faster is now just something I do for fun because that's what my body needs!

So in between hazes, Singapore is a kinda fun place to run, even if it is like a steam room most of the time. Now I have Strava and I like to track where I go and see my times, but just for fun. This means I take my phone with me every time. And oh, how it has improved my running life! I take pictures of all the fun vistas and views I see. It makes for a much more interesting outing.

Singapore is generally a fake place, and by fake I mean it's new and they are definitely going for a certain type look and feel - and that look and feel is new new new. New condos, new office buildings, new restaurants, etc. BUT, there is some respite on occasion, and this blend of old and new is what I really try to find and what I like about Singapore.

These pictures are from what I call my Oxley/Marina run. I go from my place (Oxley Rise) to the Marina and back, following the Singapore River. River is certainly an overstatement, but it flows, I guess.

This one is by the Marina where the old "Downtown Core" is. The bridge is over the Singapore River. You can actually see some old vs. young I was talking about. The tallest building on the right is a new UOB building (united overseas bank) and the building second to the left is the Bank of China building, which is very old and Shanghai/Hong Kong-y with it's art deconess.

This is perhaps my favorite bridge in Singapore. A really cool and old suspension bridge. it connects one side of the river to the other, just beside the historic Fullerton Hotel. The Fullerton is gorgeous inside.

 Other side of the bridge:

Inside the Fullerton:

On this ridiculously clear day the Marina Bay Sands, one of the world's most expensive buildings, was particularly beautiful. The picture does not do it justice.

This is my favorite part of the Marina. It's difficult to see, but there is a row of old "heritage homes" that have been converted into restaurants where very important businessmen have lunch and happy hour. It's also just cool.

And behind those heritage homes is a street that I didn't think existed in Singapore! A really ghetto looking alley. Reminds me a lot of HK, which, of course, makes me love it.

Look how happy it makes me!

Singapore has its moments. The skyline in the evening and at dusk is pretty cool from our new home. This view is part of why I pushed so hard for this place. This picture rather perfectly conveys the cool and actually kinda unique way that Singapore is urban and suburban at the same time. The street below is never that busy, there is greenery everywhere, and is not that dense. Yet, in the distance there are skyscrapers and people everywhere. You never travel more than 20-30 minutes to get anywhere here, so I guess they really like their "quiet seclusion" feeling. I can't blame them, even if it makes the city not as exciting as Hong Kong or other eastern cities. But you know what? It's becoming home, and I have learned to appreciate it.

Off to Vietnam!

We are off to Vietnam for a long weekend. Jordan has a work charity team building event and I'm following along as tai tai (wife in chinese).

I have to work yomorrow but you can be damn sure it will be over several cups of Vietnamese coffee!

Terminal 3 is pretty, right?

They have an awesome food court here as well. Just like a hawker stand in the city. You pay with a preloaded card. Very weird and not very efficient.

Singapore Breakfast

Put this on the list of things that are truly Singaporean - kaya toast set with half boiled eggs and kopi. I will explain.

Kaya toast - white bread with the crusts taken off, toasted, slathered with margarine (NOT butter) and kaya. Kaya is a coconut reduction paste that tastes nothing like coconut. It's sweet and delicious, like many things here.

Kopi - I have posted about kopi before but it is a dark coffee, strained probably 3 or 4 times, then mixed with water, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. It's singapore's version of southeast asian coffee - the thais, Vietnamese, Malaysians, and Singaporeans each have their own version. All are delicious in their own way.

Half boiled eggs - kind of like soft boiled eggs but cooked for a few minutes less. These are soupy and delicious. You crack them in a bowl and put soy sauce and 5 spice powder on it. Then you eat it with a little spoon. The little spoon is imperative. You also have to eat this in a place like this:

Our New apartment has a great place around the corner: Killiney Kopitiam. The other hallmark of this famous breakfast is the price - it should never run you more than like 5 bucks. This place is a franchise so they charge a little more at $5.80, but I forgive them due to their convenience. 

Wedding Retreat

We're disturbed.

Well we're off to Thailand again for a wedding planning retreat! We just need to knock out all the final details and need no distractions. Ironic, I know, that we go to the land of distraction to concentrate, but that's who we are. Bangkok is also oddly relaxing in some ways! You can just sit by the pool and take a load off if you want. That's what we intend to do - with a laptop and spreadsheet in hand.

I also think I have a problem. This is something I couldn't resist buying on the plane. It is cute and kitschy and everything I love about thus country. I also lose pens and need one.

Singapore Culture

My favorite part about Singapore is the melting of cultures. It is a very diverse place and they celebrate their differences. Part of their foundational principles is racial harmony. I like that word choice. Harmony. Not coexistence. Not tolerance. Harmony. Living together happily and celebrating each other is the main objective.

Nowhere is this more clear than in the ethnic neighborhoods around the island. Little India is my favorite. While I haven't been to India, I imagine streets like this. Everyone here is truly Indian and the food and shops showcase it. I have never had more delicious subcontinent food! Also the street is decorated with flare and pizazz, usually commemorating one of the many hindu holidays that singapore celebrates as a national holiday.

Another awesome neighborhood is the Arab area or arab street. This place is teeming with local and visiting Muslims alike. There is a grand mosque and, of course, awesome food.

Grand sultan mosque  

Arab street. You can buy any fabric you want on this street. Or a Persian rug!

Middle eastern food. Mmmm.

Beside this area is a street called haji lane filled with hipster cafes, shops, boutiques and the occasional cultural gem like a Nepalese store.

Or, sometimes, a cat cafe. Yes. You sit with cats for an hour. It's actually pretty entertaining.

If nothing else, Singapore is amusing.

Fish Spa

I opted out of this activity, well, because it's gross and weird. But Jordan and Derrick (he's our first visitor!) And Derrick's friend here in singapore decided their feet needed to be cleaned. I for some reason of all things don't have the stomach for this but it does kinda look cool.

We got the scoop on what's going on here. The fish eat your dead skin because they are getting to the fungus underneath it! The more your feet sweat the more fungus there is and the tastier your feet are to the fish! Freaking weird.

The owner guy says it will help you sleep! He has regulars that come 3 times per week to help them sleep. He also says the fish release endorphins into your body. Asian magic!

Strike that off our to do list!

Clearly Derrick is not amused.

The fish swarm all over you feet. We opted for the "aggressive fish," clearly.